Must see spots in Dublin

Regretting having made the decision to spend your summer in the concrete jungle of Buenos Aires? Then we’re just in time to help you out. But keep in mind that at Chipper we fly the Irish flag with pride and make no qualms about shamelessly convincing you to make your next destination an Irish one in Dublin.

Dublin is Ireland’s capital and largest city, the city was founded by the Vikings around the year 841 as a military base. These lands, which were the scene of wars and conflicts, are today both a modern and captivating city for those lucky enough to visit. We have a look at the must see things to do when you’re in Dublin.

Breath in the Dublin air

The Irish capital resides at the mouth of the River Liffey, near the centre of the east coast of Ireland, and is located in the heart of County Dublin.

Dublin is different from other European capitals as it is not known for its great monuments or opulence of its museums but rather for the vibe of the city and its people. It is a city full of contradictions. It is cosmopolitan but a few kilometers away you’ll find roaming fields, it has very modern buildings and is the home to tech but it also has amazing and beautiful green spaces, it is a big city but remains deeply rooted in its traditions and cultures. There is something for everybody in Dublin.

Walk along O’Connell Street

Just as Paris has the Champs-Élysées and London has Oxford Street, Dublin has O’Connell Street. The splendid avenue begins on the banks of the River Liffey and ends at Parnell Street.

You’ll find the most important monuments of the city on O’Connell street. The latest edition is “The Spire” (or the Monument of Light), a needle that runs 120 metres high to reach the very limits of the Dublin sky. This is where Nelson’s Pillar once stood before it was destroyed by the IRA (Irish Republican Army).

You’ll also find the famous Central Post Office on O’Connell street. This building was built in 1818 but is most famous for staging the 1916 Easter rising, when the IRA began an uprising right in the heart of the city in an effort to oust British rule. The rising failed but laid the building block for the eventual establishment of the Irish Republic.

The street is also home to the monument that it is named after, the statue of the nineteenth century Nationalist leader Daniel O’Connell is also located.

Music on Grafton Street

Grafton Street is located in the heart of Dublin and, besides from being the main shopping area, is known for the vast number of musicians and street performers who entertain tourists. When you need a break step into Bewley’s Café (established in 1927) to have a nice cup of tea while watching the crowds pass.

Temple Bar

Whether you’re planing to spend a few days or just a few hours in Dublin, you need to go to Temple Bar. It is an absolute must. The area was named after the one time owner, Sir William Temple, who in 1600 bought that land. 200 years later there was an attempt to transform the land into an industrial area but that was cut short. It was in 1991, when Dublin became the European Capital of Culture, that Temple Bar was transformed into the cultural and musical hot-spot it is today.

Ireland and alcohol

Irish Whiskey is famous throughout the world and has almost become a symbol of Ireland itself. There are great tours to learn the secrets of this ancient drink. The Old Jameson Distillery was founded in 1780 and for 200 years was producing one of the most consumed whiskeys in the world. Today it is a museum that shows the manufacturing steps and how it’s possible to turn three simple ingredients (water, barley and yeast) in to gold.

And the beer? Obviously we had to mention beer. The Guinness museum is one of the most interesting places to learn about the creation and evolution of beer. Few brands are associated with a country as Guinness is with Ireland. Guinness is so important that when the government wanted to choose the harp as a symbol of Ireland it had to invert it so that it was not associated with the logo of the beer.